used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
ascendantnounUS /əˈsendənt/
position or state of being dominant or in control
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
BlightnounUS /blaɪt/
a state or condition being blighted
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
blockingnounUS /ˈblɑːkɪŋ/
the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
chillingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
CrumpleverbUS /ˈkrʌmpəl/
fall apart
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
opinion or judgment
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
fulfilmentnoun
a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
a young female
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
a form of address for a man
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
and nothing more
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
PenelopenounUS /pəˈneləpi/
(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
PoundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
Pound'snounUS /paʊndz/
possessive form of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
propheciesnounUS /ˈprɑːfəsiz/
plural of “prophecy” — knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
ProphetnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
an authoritative person who divines the future
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
rattler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
shelvingverbUS /ˈʃelvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
Shunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
Stacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
the upper part of anything
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
having come into contact
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
a message informing of danger
From this reading So near had they been to fulfilment that it seemed that I must have been spared only for a harder fate, and the figure of Stacy Shunk peering at me through the top of his hat, uttering his ominous warning, rose before my startled eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That the prophecies of Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple had come to nothing was little consolation for me.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading I took a backward step and for an instant the Prophet Pound's star was in the ascendant, for the foot touched the water.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I should have run, but my retreat was barred, the girl blocking the way over the shelving beach.
whirnoun
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words of Penelope Blight fell on my ears as chillingly as the rattler's whir.
